Osthoff, HansYe, Connie2016-12-222016-12-2220162016Ye, C. (2016). Development of Purge-and-Trap Sample Preconcentrator for Enhanced Detection of Alkyl Nitrates by Thermal Dissociation Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25688http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3510This thesis describes the development of a sample preconcentrator for enhanced detection of alkyl nitrates (∑ANs) in ambient air by thermal dissociation cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TD-CRDS). The recovery of isopropyl nitrate on Tenax adsorbent was (96±1)% and unaffected by potential interfering gases such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Mixtures of five alkyl nitrates were also recovered in high yield in dry (99±5)% and in humidified air (92±11)% with relative humidity of 83%. Results from the first field deployment of the new instrument from the Ozone-depleting Reactions in a Coastal Atmosphere (ORCA) campaign are presented. The ORCA campaign took place at the Amphitrite Point Observatory on the West coast of Vancouver Island in Ucluelet, B,C. from July 6-31, 2015. A signal to noise ratio of 16.8 and a limit of detection of 7 pptv were demonstrated in the field. Future applications include measurements of isoprene and monoterpene nitrates.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Chemistry--AnalyticalAtmospheric ScienceCavity Ring-Down SpectroscopyAlkyl nitratesmaster thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25688